Efficacy of Four spp. Extracts in an Animal Model of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.

Leishmaniasis is a complex protozoa disease caused by genus (Trypanosomatidae family). Currently, there have been renewed interests worldwide in plants as pharmaceutical agents. In this study, the efficacy of spp.

US and Cuban Scientists Forge Collaboration on Arbovirus Research.

After December 17, 2014, when the US and Cuban governments announced their intent to restore relations, the two countries participated in various exchange activities in an effort to encourage cooperation in public health, health research and biomedical sciences. The conference entitled Exploring Opportunities for Arbovirus Research Collaboration, hosted at Havana's Hotel Nacional, was part of these efforts and was the first major US-Cuban scientific conference in over 50 years. Its purpose was to share information about current arbovirus research and recent findings, and to explore opportunities for future joint research.

Population genetics-informed meta-analysis in seven genes associated with risk to dengue fever disease.

Population genetics theory predicted that rare frequent markers would be the main contributors for heritability of complex diseases, but meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies are revealing otherwise common markers, present in all population groups, as the identified candidate genes. In this work, we applied a population-genetics informed meta-analysis to 10 markers located in seven genes said to be associated with dengue fever disease. Seven markers (in PLCE1, CD32, CD209, OAS1 and OAS3 genes) have high-frequency and the other three (in MICB and TNFA genes) have intermediate frequency.

Vaccine-mismatched influenza B/Yamagata lineage viruses in Cuba, 2012-2013 season.

Annual trivalent influenza vaccines contain one of influenza B lineages; influenza B/Victoria-lineage or influenza B/Yamagata viruses. Theoretically, these vaccines should protect against viruses expected to circulate in the next influenza season. The National Influenza Centers, based on surveillance data from National Reference Laboratories, selects the strains composing each annual trivalent or tetravalent vaccine.

Essential Oil from Piper aduncum: Chemical Analysis, Antimicrobial Assessment, and Literature Review.

The challenge in antimicrobial chemotherapy is to find safe and selective agents with potency that will not be compromised by previously developed resistance. Terrestrial plants could provide new leads to antibacterial, antifungal, or antiprotozoal activity. The essential oil (EO) of L.

In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Essential Oil from Artemisia absinthium L. Formulated in Nanocochleates against Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.

Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease caused by protozoan parasites from genus. Currently, there are no effective vaccines available and the available therapies are far from ideal. In particular, the development of new therapeutic strategies to reduce the infection caused by could be considered desirable.

The tetravalent formulation of domain III-capsid proteins recalls memory B- and T-cell responses induced in monkeys by an experimental dengue virus infection.

Tetra DIIIC is a vaccine candidate against dengue virus (DENV) composed by four chimeric proteins that fuse the domain III of the envelope protein of each virus to the corresponding capsid protein. Containing B- and T-cell epitopes, these proteins form aggregates after the incubation with an immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleotide, and their tetravalent formulation induces neutralizing antibodies and cellular immune response in mice and monkeys. Also, Tetra DIIIC protects mice after challenge with each DENV, and the monovalent formulation obtained from DENV-2 protects monkeys upon homologous viral challenge.

First record of natural vertical transmission of dengue virus in Aedes aegypti from Cuba.

While horizontal transmission (human-mosquito-human) of dengue viruses largely determines the epidemiology of the disease, vertical transmission (infected female mosquito- infected offspring) has been suggested as a mechanism that ensures maintenance of the virus during adverse conditions for horizontal transmission to occur. The purpose of this study was to analyze the natural infection of larval stages of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) with the dengue virus (DENV) in Cuba. Here, we report vertical transmission of DENV-3 genotype III in natural populations of Ae.

Detection and identification of Leishmania spp.: application of two hsp70-based PCR-RFLP protocols to clinical samples from the New World.

Leishmaniasis is highly prevalent in New World countries, where several methods are available for detection and identification of Leishmania spp. Two hsp70-based PCR protocols (PCR-N and PCR-F) and their corresponding restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) were applied for detection and identification of Leishmania spp. in clinical samples recruited in Colombia, Guatemala, and Honduras.

From individual to herd protection with pneumococcal vaccines: the contribution of the Cuban pneumococcal conjugate vaccine implementation strategy.

A new pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is currently undergoing advanced clinical evaluation prior to its planned introduction in Cuba. The implementation of the pneumococcal vaccination strategy has been designed with consideration of the need to maximize both its direct and indirect effects. A novel approach is suggested, which addresses preschool children as the first-line target group to generate herd immunity in infants and to have an impact on transmission at the community level.

Hepatitis B virus infection assessed 3 to 18 years after vaccination in Cuban children and adolescents born to HBsAg-positive mothers.

Thirty-two participants, aged between 3-18 years, born to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive mothers and vaccinated at birth were analyzed for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Overall, 56% had anti-HB titers ≥10 IU/L; five were positive for antibodies to the core antigen (anti-HBc), and two of these were also positive for HBsAg/DNA. One of the HBsAg/anti-HBc double-negative children presented with an unusual occult infection (HBV DNA-positive).

OSBPL10, RXRA and lipid metabolism confer African-ancestry protection against dengue haemorrhagic fever in admixed Cubans.

Ethnic groups can display differential genetic susceptibility to infectious diseases. The arthropod-born viral dengue disease is one such disease, with empirical and limited genetic evidence showing that African ancestry may be protective against the haemorrhagic phenotype. Global ancestry analysis based on high-throughput genotyping in admixed populations can be used to test this hypothesis, while admixture mapping can map candidate protective genes.

Antituberculosis Drug Resistance in Pulmonary Isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Cuba 2012-2014.

INTRODUCTION Systematic surveillance of antituberculosis drug resistance allows identification of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Surveillance studies of antituberculosis drug resistance systematically conducted in Cuba for over 15 years have revealed low circulation of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, under 1% in new cases. OBJECTIVE Characterize antituberculosis drug resistance in isolates of M.

Innovative Tuberculosis Symposium held during Cuba Salud 2015.

The fourth Tuberculosis (TB) Symposium, held during the Cuba Salud 2015 International Convention, highlighted advancements in research on TB and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) by interdisciplinary teams from academic and federal institutions in Cuba, Colombia, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. Delegates focused on the targets presented in the World Health Organization End TB Strategy for 2016-2035 and elaborated on four primary themes: 1) attention to vulnerable populations such as immunocompromised individuals, health care workers, and residents of long-term institutions such as prisons and nursing homes; 2) identification of active and latent TB cases through contact investigations; 3) spread and control of drug-resistant Mtb strains; and 4) advancements in the development of novel vaccines or "booster" immunizations. This international TB forum served as a platform for experts in diverse disciplines in these Latin American countries to discuss challenges faced by TB research and control programs, proposing novel research initiatives and promoting collaborative teamwork strategies for TB elimination.

Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S.T. Blake (Myrtales: Myrtaceae): Natural alternative for mosquito control.

Objective: To evaluate an essential oil with larvicide, adulticide and growth inhibitory activity against Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes, of medical importance.

Methods: Standardized methodology by WHO was used to determine the levels of susceptibility of mosquito larvae exposed to the essential oil. To evaluate the adulticide activity with the essential oil at different doses, bottles were impregnated according to the methodology CDC.

[Importance of quality control of baciloscopy in laboratories that perform diagnosis of tuberculosis].

Background: Baciloscopy is the primary tool for pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosis, being this technique the most used internationally in the search for infectious cases. Quality control is the process of the rechecking smears by a highly qualified observer.

Aim: To evaluate and highlight the importance of quality control of smear microscopy in the Provincial Laboratories diagnosticians of Tuberculosis in Cuba.

Transient glutathione depletion in the substantia nigra compacta is associated with neuroinflammation in rats.

Glutathione (GSH) deficiency has been identified as an early event in the progression of Parkinson's disease. However, the role of GSH in the etiology and pathogenesis of this neurodegenerative disorder is not well established. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of transient GSH depletion in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) on neuroinflammation after the injection of a single dose of l-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) into the SNpc of male Sprague-Dawley rats.

In Vitro Antileishmanial Activity of Sterols from Trametes versicolor (Bres. Rivarden).

Two ergostanes, 5α,8α-epidioxy-22E-ergosta-6,22-dien-3β-ol (1) and 5α-ergost-7,22-dien-3β-ol (2), and a lanostane, 3β-hydroxylanostan-8,24-diene-21-oic acid (trametenolic acid) (3), were isolated from an n-hexane extract prepared from the fruiting body of Trametes versicolor (Bres. Rivarden). The activity of the isolated sterols was evaluated against promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis Lainson and Shaw, 1972.

A modified theoretical framework to assess implementation fidelity of adaptive public health interventions.

Background: One of the major debates in implementation research turns around fidelity and adaptation. Fidelity is the degree to which an intervention is implemented as intended by its developers. It is meant to ensure that the intervention maintains its intended effects.

Dengue encephalitis-associated immunopathology in the mouse model: Implications for vaccine developers and antigens inducer of cellular immune response.

Despite the many efforts made by the scientific community in the development of vaccine candidates against dengue virus (DENV), no vaccine has been licensed up to date. Although the immunopathogenesis associated to the disease is a key factor to take into account by vaccine developers, the lack of animal models that reproduce the clinical signs of the disease has hampered the vaccine progress. Non-human primates support viral replication, but they are very expensive and do not show signs of disease.

Low prevalence of Vibrio cholerae O1 versus moderate prevalence of intestinal parasites in food-handlers working with health care personnel in Haiti.

Food-handlers with poor personal hygiene working in food-service establishments could be potential sources of infection due to pathogenic organisms. In May 2011, a cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of bacteria and intestinal parasites among food-handlers working with Cuban health personnel in Haiti. Stool specimens were collected from 56 food-handlers and samples were examined using standard procedures.

Sentinel Surveillance Detects Low Circulation of Vibrio cholerae Serotype Inaba in Haiti, 2011-2012.

Over 700,000 cases of cholera were reported in Haiti between October 2010 and February 2015. In November 2011, the Cuban Medical Team serving in Haiti established a laboratory-supported sentinel surveillance system for cholera in 10 public hospitals (one in each of Haiti's 10 departments), to estimate the proportion of hospitalized patients with cholera and detect emergence of new Vibrio cholerae serotypes. Each month, the first ten stool samples collected from patients admitted with acute watery diarrhea were studied in all hospitals involved.

Recognition of a multiple antigen peptide containing sequence from mimotope of the dengue type 3 virus NS4B protein by human antibodies.

Objective: To evaluate the recognition of NS4B mimotope, as multiple antigen peptide (MAP), by dengue antibodies presents in serum samples from patients with different serotype infections.

Methods: A MAP containing mimotope sequence was synthesized and used to evaluate the recognition of NS4B mimotope as MAP by a panel of 66 human sera from dengue cases by an indirect ELISA assay.

Results: The MAP differentiated between sera from dengue viruses infected patients and sera from healthy individuals and the best reactivity was shown by serum from dengue type 3 virus patients.